ATLANTA - Severe weather crossed through Atlanta and other areas of north Georgia Monday afternoon, dropping large hail and knocking down trees.

As of 8:45 p.m., Georgia Power reported a total of 73,000 without power in Georgia. Of that count, 31,000 are in northwest Georgia, 24,000 in central Georgia, 10,000 in western Georgia and 6,700 in Metro Atlanta.

Laura Sparks of North Georgia EMC said damage to power lines was called in from customers in Chattooga, Catoosa, Walker, Murray and Whitfield counties.

Troup County residents are being asked to stay inside due to fallen trees in the area.

North Georgia EMC officials said they will work through Monday night through Tuesday morning to restore power in those counties.

Viewers sent 11Alive photographs and videos as several areas of metro Atlanta were hammered by hail.

In Stockbridge, viewers reported hail as large as baseballs.

In the area around Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, hail was measured an inch or more in diameter.

College Park resident Anthony Thomas thought he was hearing heavy rain, until he looked outside.

"I thought the roof was going to cave in," said Thomas. "That's how hard it was coming down."

Hail was reported as far east as Eatonton, where a viewer sent a picture suitable for a Christmas card.

Earlier Monday afternoon, the National Weather Service had issued a Tornado Watch for much of that area, including Metro Atlanta, but it was lifted just before 7:00 p.m.

All planes at Hartsfield-Jackson were grounded as a result of the storm and incoming air traffic wasn't allowed to land during the duration of the story. As a result, departures have been delayed for up to one hour. Some reports suggest planes, on the ground, were damaged by the hail but no reports have been confirmed.

Some in Georgia saw large hail around 2 inches in diameter, heavy thunderstorm wind gusts, dangerous lightning and heavy rain.

Behind Monday afternoon's storms, drier and cooler air will work in, bringing temperatures in the 60s on Tuesday and Wednesday. Lows Tuesday night and Wednesday night are expected to drop to the mid 30s. More rain is expected in the area by the end of the week.